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How do you enable automatic logon with Microsoft Windows?

Entry

Associated product(s)

When a computer starts up (SIMATIC IPC, for example), you are asked which user name you want to use to log on to the system. This interrupts the automatic startup, which is undesirable, for example, after a power failure.

Note Refer to the versions of the Microsoft operating system released for your product in the Compatibility Tool here: Link.

Remedy As a remedy we recommend you install automatic logon. Depending on whether your computer (SIMATIC IPC, for example) is member of a Windows working group or domain you have different options for installing automatic logon.

Automatic logon to a domain/working group using the Microsoft "Autologon for Windows" toolTo install automatic logon to a domain or working group we recommend you use the Microsoft "Autologon for Windows". The "Autologon for Windows" tool is available on the following web page:https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963905. You can use the tool with Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and higher.

Automatic logon to a domain/working group using the Microsoft "Autologon for Windows" tool If you wish to install automatic logon without an additional tool on your computer (SIMATIC IPC, for example), proceed as described in the table below.

No.

Procedure

1

Open the "Run" dialog field with "Start > Run" or the key combination "Windows Logo + R"

2

Make sure that you have an administrator account. Depending on your operating system you enter one of the following commands:

Disable the "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" check box.

Fig. 02

Then click on the "Apply" button. The "Automatically Log On" dialog window opens.

4

Note If you cannot select "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" in a domain, note the following:

Fig. 03

Close the "User Accounts" window.

5

Repeat steps 1 and 2 displayed in the table, then enter the "regedit.exe" command instead of "netplwiz.exe".

Fig. 04

In the "Registry Editor" window you open this Registry folder: "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\".

6

Right-click the Registry item "AutoAdminLogon" and then click "Modify...".

Fig. 05

7

Enter 1 in the "Value data:" field and then click "OK".

Fig. 06

Note Restart the computer after this modification.

8

Note If the Registry item "AutoAdminLogon" is not available, proceed as follows.

Right-click the Registry folder "Winlogon", then click "New" and then "String Value".

Fig. 07

9

Change the name "String Value" to "AutoAdminLogon".

Fig. 08

Repeat steps 6 and 7 displayed in the table.

10

In the "Automatically Log On" dialog you specify the name and ID that is to be logged on automatically when the computer starts up.

Note In a domain the following is to be entered as user name: "<Domain_name>\user".

Fig. 09

Confirm your input by clicking the "OK" button.

11

Automatic Logon is now installed. After a restart or reboot of the computer (SIMATIC IPC, for example), the Windows logon is executed automatically and you can start using your application immediately.

Notes

The two passwords entered in the "Automatically Log On" window are checked for parity. However, the passwords are not checked for correctness. If two identical but incorrect passwords are preset, automatic logon does not work when you start the computer (SIMATIC IPC, for example).

You must disable the Enhanced Write Filter (EWF) before making changes in Microsoft Windows Embedded operating systems. See also Entry ID: 40108744.

If automatic logon is already configured, but you still want to make changes, then check the option check box "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" and then clear it again afterwards. Now you can click on the "Accept" or "OK" button and the "Automatic Logon" window opens.

Important
This entry contains information for editing the Registry. You should make a backup copy of the Registry before editing it. More information about making a backup copy, restoring and editing the Registry is available in the Microsoft Knowledge Base in Entry ID 256986. Incorrect use of the Registry editor can cause serious problems that affect the complete system and make it necessary to reinstall the operating system. You use the Registry editor at your own risk.

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